Brigette Hyacinth* says poor leadership often leads to a toxic workplace environment that kills initiative and productivity.
Whenever a boss acts like a dictator you’ve got a toxic workplace problem.
It could mean shutting down, embarrassing, or firing anyone who dares to challenge the status quo.
That kind of behaviour creates an environment in which everyone is scared and intimidated.
It often results in them becoming willing to throw their colleagues under the bus, just to stay on the good side of bosses like that.
A toxic office culture will erode an organisation by paralysing its workforce, diminishing its productivity and stifling creativity and innovation.
Now more than ever business leaders need to be addressing issues of workplace toxicity.
It makes the difference in retaining good staff and also whether the organisation meets its targets or fails miserably.
Employees aren’t afraid to jump ship when faced with a toxic workplace — and it’s usually the high performers who go first.
The biggest concern for any organisation should be when their most passionate people become quiet.
Here are some signs that your workplace culture is toxic.
Core values are disregarded as the basis for how the organisation functions.
Employee suggestions are discarded and people are afraid to give honest feedback.
Micromanaging is the order of the day with little or no autonomy given to employees in performing their jobs.
Blaming and punishment from management is the norm, leading to excessive absenteeism, illness and high employee turnover.
Overworking is a badge of honour and is expected, with little or strained interaction between employees and management.
Other indications can be gossiping and/or social cliques; favouritism and over-active office politics.
While toxic work cultures are the end result of many factors, it’s generally a combination of poor leadership and individuals who perpetuate the culture.
It starts with those at the top.
Leaders must demonstrate respect, integrity, authenticity, appreciation, empathy and trust.
Toxicity in the workplace is costly.
Unhappy or disengaged employees cost organisations billions of dollars each year in lost revenues, settlements and other damages.
Once you identify the major problems by gathering information, develop a plan and follow through.
It may mean training, moving or simply getting rid of bad bosses who are the root cause of the toxicity.
Show employees you care and are committed to improving their workplace environment.
Employees should be an organisation’s greatest asset but they need to be treated well.
* Brigette Hyacinth founded the MBA Caribbean Organisation that conducts seminars and workshops in leadership, management and education as well as providing motivational speeches. She can be contacted at www.mbacaribbean.org.
This article first appeared on Brigette’s website.
